Towards digital automation flexibility in large-scale timber construction: integrative robotic prefabrication and co-design of the BUGA Wood Pavilion

Abstract

This paper discusses the digital automation workflows and co-design methods that made possible the comprehensive robotic prefabrication of the BUGA Wood Pavilion—a large-scale production case study of robotic timber construction. Latest research in architectural robotics often focuses on the advancement of singular aspects of integrated digital fabrication and computational design techniques. Few researchers discuss how a multitude of different robotic processes can come together into seamless, collaborative robotic fabrication workflows and how a high level of interaction within larger teams of computational design and robotic fabrication experts can be achieved. It will be increasingly important to discuss suitable methods for the management of robotics and computational design in construction for the successful implementation of robotic fabrication systems in the context of the industry. We present here how a co-design approach enabled the organization of computational design decisions in reciprocal feedback with the fabrication planning, simulation and robotic code generation. We demonstrate how this approach can implement direct and curated reciprocal feedback between all planning domains—paving the way for fast-paced integrative project development. Furthermore, we discuss how the modularization of computational routines simplify the management and computational control of complex robotic construction efforts on a per-project basis and open the door for the flexible reutilization of developed digital technologies across projects and building systems.

The Dilemma of Balancing Design for Impact Sound with Environmental Performance in Wood Ceiling Systems—A Building Physics Perspective

“…In addition, digital tools and innovations, such as robotic fabrication, are increasingly gaining application in modern timber construction. Through innovative manufacturing methods, natural-based materials can be made more industrially suitable to further advance the research and development of both sustainable materials and constructions [29,30].…”

Integrative computational design and construction: Rethinking architecture digitally

“…The co‐design method created for this project generated the shape of each component for the pavilion according to the architectural design intent and the structural loading 9,10 . The conception and development of the transportable robotic manufacturing unit to be used was also an integral part of the co‐design 11 . Only this highly integrative process made it possible to manufacture 376 different panel segments with 17 000 different finger joints in accordance with the diverse design requirements for the overall structure and its details with an accuracy of three tenths of a millimeter.…”

Integratives computerbasiertes Planen und Bauen: Architektur digital neu denken

“…Die für dieses Projekt geschaffene Co‐Design‐Methode generierte die Form jedes einzelnen Bauteils für den Pavillon gemäß der architektonischen Entwurfsabsicht und der statischen Beanspruchung [9, 10]. Auch die Konzeption und Entwicklung der zum Einsatz kommenden transportablen robotischen Fertigungseinheit war integraler Bestandteil des Co‐Designs [11]. Erst dieser hochintegrative Prozess ermöglichte die Fertigung von 376 unterschiedlichen Plattensegmenten mit 17 000 verschiedenen Keilzinkenverbindungen gemäß den vielfaltigen konstruktiven Anforderungen an die Gesamtstruktur und deren Details mit einer Genauigkeit von drei Zehntelmillimetern.…”